About JBDA
Joseph Dwerlkotte, Founder
Our founder Joseph Dwerlkotte was granted a Professional Engineering License from Kansas in 1957. He received his FAA-DER in 1967 and founded J. B. Dwerlkotte Associates, Inc. in 1976. Joseph Dwerlkotte retired in 2015.
Robert Dwerlkotte, President
Robert J. Dwerlkotte earned a BBA in Accounting from Wichita State University, an MBA from Friends University and is a CPA. Although Bob’s background is financial, he has been around aircraft all his life, learned drafting as young man and can read blueprints. He served as CFO of Piaggio Aviation, Inc. and President/CEO of Impact Dynamics, Inc. Bob’s experience in project management, cost estimation, quality control and leadership ensure successful project completion.
Donald Shepherd, Vice-President of Engineering
Donald E. Shepherd, Jr. P.E, was granted a Professional Engineering License from Kansas in 2003. Don has degrees in mathematics and aerospace engineering. He has been with the company since 1986 and was appointed an FAA-DER in Structures in 1995. Don was with Cessna Aircraft before coming to JBDA, bringing a wealth of engineering experience and management capability.
Our Office —
429 St. Francis
Wichita, KS 67202
Tel: (316) 269-6970
Fax: (316) 269-2727
Dr. Steve Hooper, Chief of Technical Engineering
Steve’s earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University and began working in the aerospace industry in 1973 for Beech Aircraft Corp. He has since worked in industry and taught for Wichita State University’s Aerospace Engineering Department. He has been the principal investigator on over $5M FAA and NASA funded research projects, and was member of the SAE Seat Committee. Steve holds several patents and has publish many technical papers and articles. Steve was appointed an FAA-DER in 1999. Dr. Hooper provides technical guidance in the areas of linear and nonlinear structural analyses, as well as structural dynamics.
Joe Dvorak, Lead Engineer, PE
Joe began work at JBDA in 2008 as a co-op student/intern. He received his bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from Wichita State University in 2009 and his Kansas Professional Engineering (PE) License in 2019. During his time at JBDA, he has worked and help lead numerous projects ranging from interior monument installations to airframe modification and repairs. He is adept in fatigue and damage tolerance evaluations as well as finite element analysis and other energy methods.
Matt Hiemenz, General Manager
Matt serves as the business point of contact for many of our customers.